Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Tuesday informed that the department will be holding interviews for appointment of mid-level health providers (MLHPs) in Tura, West Garo Hills District on September 12.
Speaking to reporters, Lyngdoh said that the decision was taken to ensure adequate opportunity is given to all.
“This is despite the State of Meghalaya has only two recognized institutions – NEIGRIHMS and Woodland – which are running the (bridge course) programmes,” she said.
The minister held a meeting with a joint delegation of FKJGP, GSU, ADE from Garo Hills, who have questioned the failure of the government to advertise the MLHP posts in the region.
She said that selection processes conducted recently was campus recruitment in NEIGRIHMS and Woodland hospital.
Lyngdoh said in view of the complaint received, the department has decided to re-advertise the posts so that we give equal opportunities for all Meghalayans to apply the MLHP job.
The minister also said that in the future, the government also feel that it would be fair to have such institutions which are running the bridge courses to function in other parts of the State.
“This is because we will have to recruit a lot of such individuals to help us deliver quality services to the public at the village level. Likely I would also propose to the chief minister if we can have sponsored candidates let us sponsor candidates where these gaps occur as somebody from another part of the state to work permanently in another part of the state will be a challenging proposition, it is a practical proposition. Language is a pre-requisite because if I don’t understand the health problem of a citizen who comes to my wellness centre, how will I commensurate the necessary health intervention,” she said.
The minister informed that the health department would also write to IGNOU to start a six-month bridge course for citizens of the state.
“We will write to IGNOU and letters have already gone we must start this programme and have this facility available for citizens of Meghalaya as we don’t have the pre-requisite numbers of doctors, we are not coming in we are now evaluating a lot of things to ensure doctors in PHCs, CHCs, sub divisional hospitals, we need otherwise we will never be able to achieve our targets. Indicators will continue to challenge the state of Meghalaya,” she added.
A commemoration of five social organisations from Garo Hills met Health Minister Dr. Ampareen Lyngdoh in Shillong. Accompanied by Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma and Marcuise N Marak, the organisations mentioned a certain number of candidates has been declared for appointment for the post of MLHP under different vacant posts in different parts of Garo Hills, Meghalaya, in the circular, allegedly there was not even a single Garo or local Candidate who was selected for the post of MLHP, all of which were posts that were vacant in Garo Hills Region.